The Red River Rivalry may be taking on a whole new meaning and indeed turn into a new kind of Red River shootout.

With a lawsuit by the Tarrant Regional Water District being filed mid January 2007 in federal court, a line in the sand has been drawn literally, but instead of sand, the line rests just north of the Red River.

The Texans are wanting water for their growing needs and the amount of water they want is tremendous, billions of gallons a year, almost seven times the amount of water that flows down Blue River in a single year. The requested amount by Texas is almost unfathomable.

The Texas plan calls for water to be taken from three basins in Oklahoma, Kiamachi, Cache Creek, and Beaver Creek so Texas has targeted a wide line across Oklahoma that seems to add insult to injury.

Five years ago I actually thought I knew quite a bit about water but today I realize I know very little and in that time period have received one good education. At first glance, the Texas plan looks reasonable. After all, the plan would be using “end use” water that has made its way and served its purpose in Oklahoma. But, upon reflection it only stands to reason when more water is used downstream, less water is available upstream and Oklahoma is upstream in all of this.

It seems no matter what newspaper you pick up these days in Oklahoma, there is going to be an article about water. Water is quickly becoming, or perhaps already has, the commodity we have that others thirst for.

Again, I have to wonder if Oklahoma shouldn’t take note of the Texas effort. Why shouldn’t Oklahoma capture the water before it goes into the Red River on its way to the Gulf of Mexico? I have to ask myself, could we not build reservoirs in these areas, providing treasure chests of water while at the same time serving the future needs of our community, recreation, wildlife, and still prove environmentally friendly. I don’t know, because like I said, I thought I knew a lot about water but factually I don’t. But if such a plan did prove feasible it could possibly solve Oklahoma’s future water needs taking care of Oklahoma first. If there is excess water after our needs are met then the water could be sold.

Why doesn’t Oklahoma have a statewide water plan? We should, and yesterday was actually too late to start.

In this whole issue of water, an Oklahoma treasure, we see a variety of faces. Some appear as those that wish for some kind of ennoblement in solving humankind’s water needs, some are barbarians at the gate, and then some are up-front unabashed – like the Texans. Make no mistake about it, the Texans came with gloves off and they have now thrown down. They did in fact cross that line in the sand just as they crossed the Red River to file suit.

Personally, this whole Texas issue is sad for me. I am saddened about the future of Oklahoma’s rivers, streams, water basins and natural environment. Secondly, I have many fly fishing friends from Texas that also cross the Red River quite regularly to spend time with Blue River. The difference in my Texas friends and the ones that came to file suit is my friends come out of appreciation of what we have and we are willing to share, quite willing. All of them are stewards of nature regardless of where that natural environment is. State lines are meaningless to them, no lines in the sand.

What is Oklahoma to do? Developing a statewide water plan would certainly be a positive step. Secondly, we should remember a time in our history when we were most noted for the Dust Bowl, possible inspiration for Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath”, and economically destroyed. Will we allow ourselves to revisit those days? Will we forget how important agriculture and tourism is to us? Will we let southern Oklahoma, usually lush and green, become a desert land for our grandchildren to inherit? If so, then shame on us, shame on us.

And what about Texas and the Tarrant Regional Water District? I would feel it is safe to say that none of us north of the Red River will absolutely ever deny our brothers and sisters usable drinking and personal water. But in saying that, I for one am not even close to sacrificing water for clean vehicles, pristine swimming pools, and the yard of the month award in Tarrant County, Texas. Texas needs a model water conservation program, envied and admired nationally. And in fairness, I will say the same about Oklahoma regarding the above…not a drop of water to be sacrificed on any of it unless we practice water conservation - Oklahoma needs an aggressive water conservation program. For me it’s a goose gander thing.

Sure be glad when next years college football season rolls around – maybe Texas and Oklahoma can get back to being friendly again and to the Red River Rivalry that we are so familiar with.